Basics of Computer Hardware and Software

• The hardware and the software make up a complete operating computer

system. Hardware is the mechanical device in a computer system that is interconnected
for operation. The user may not be able to see all the hardware devices because they are
internal to the computer’s casing.
• Software, on the other hand, works on the idea of instructing programs in computer
language for execution. They tell the device what to perform and how to do it using a set
of instructions.
• The software developers design the programs in such a way that there are instructions for
all kinds of tasks. This is by using a high-level programming language which is then
translated to binary form for the computer to read.
• But software and hardware cannot function without each other. Hardware needs
instruction to perform while software needs a processor to instruct. Thus they are
dependent on each other.
Computer Hardware Components

1. Peripheral Devices

These devices are the ones that provide input/output to the computer externally. They are
auxiliary devices meant to form a connection with the device externally via a cable or Bluetooth
to function. Some examples are Mike, headphones, etc.
2. Input devices
The input device allows the user to send data or information to the computer to perform a task.
Keyboards, joysticks, mouse, etc. are some of the examples.
3. Output devices

The output device completes the task related to the data sent by the input device. They receive
the data from the input devices and execute the tasks accordingly. Printers, monitors,
headphones, etc. are some of the output devices.

4. Secondary storage devices

• The place where all the data on the computer goes is a storage device. This allows users
to access all the data safely and without any trouble. This device is one of the core
components of a computer system.
• It is a hardware device to store digital data in multiple forms like text, images, audio, etc.
Some examples are – hard drives, USBs, memory cards, etc.

5. Internal components

• The components that are already a part of the motherboard and the system are internal
components. Computer memory is internal to the system, becoming a good example of
this.
• Many devices may become a part of the system from inside using ribbon cables and
insertion cards. Some examples are – RAM, CPU, etc.
• When any of these devices start performing poorly, the system replaces or upgrades. This
process of changing the device refers to hardware upgrades. Like users often upgrade
their RAM to have more space in the computer.

Computer Hardware Architecture

Can a computer run without hardware?

• The need for the hardware in a computer system depends on which device we are talking
about. Devices like a hard drive, keyboard, memory, etc, are essential to function.
Absence or fault in any of these can lead to errors in the computer system.
• Adding external devices like speakers, modem, etc. is not integral but can definitely
improve user experience. The software enables users to interact with hardware and
complete tasks on the system.
Computer Software

1. System Software

The software that runs the computer by activating, controlling, and coordinating the hardware is
system software. They also control the application programs on the computer. They differ
according to the function they need to perform in the computer system. Some of the examples
are –

a. Operating System

The most relevant example of system software is an operating system. It is an interface

connecting the users to the computer hardware. Linux, Windows, Edge, etc. are a few famous
operating systems that people use.

b. BIOS
A basic input-output system is part of Read-Only Memory or flash memory. The first software
that users activate at their computer is BIOS because it loads the drivers to assist storage of
operating systems. It has a set of commands to make the devices perform effectively.

The starting up of a device refers to boot, the ROM commands automatic execution of loading
boot in memory once the device starts.

c. Device driver

It is responsible for controlling computer hardware by providing an interface. The kernel uses
this software to communicate with the processor. The operating systems usually have these
drivers to work with hardware systems.

d. Assembler
It is a language program with input being an assembly and output being an object. The
programmer has a basic interpretation machine that uses hardware for fundamental instructions.
It uses machine language to get machine memory in place.

e. Compiler
System software that takes care of high-level languages by accepting the source program and
producing a corresponding object program. An interpreter is a program responsible for executing
a source program. FORTRAN, COBOL, etc. may designate to a compiler and its associated
language.

f. Loader
A system software responsible for loading the program and executing it is a loader. Absolute,
relocating, and direct-linking are some of the loading schemes. The assembler outputs the
program to the device and the loader executes it. This is a smaller program compared to the
assembler.

g. Features of a system software

• They are very close to the system.

• They have a very fast speed.
• These are difficult to design and understand.
• They are less interactive.
• They have small size.
• These are hard to manipulate.
• They usually use low-level language.
2. Application Software

This type of software is for specific tasks related to end-users and their ease. Unlike system
software, a computer doesn’t need them to function. The users can install and uninstall this
software according to their needs. They may have only one program or a collection according to
tasks. Some of its types are –
1. Word Processing Software

This software is for creating editable documents that users can keep going back to. They can add
textual content or edit the existing one when necessary. Other than this, multiple other features
are depending on the particular application. Some examples are – Ms Word, Google Docs,
Wordpad, etc.
2. Spreadsheet Software

This is for making spreadsheets and deals with information/data. It has grids and columns to
tabulate all the data properly making it easy for the user to maintain records. It enables data
processing of even larger files.

There is an option to calculate using different formulas as well. Some examples are – Ms Excel,
Google Sheets, etc.

3. Multimedia Software

These are for editing videos, audios, and texts and allows users to combine all of them as well.
They can improve their documents with interesting visuals and sounds using multimedia
software. Some examples are – VLC player, Premier Pro, Window Media Player, etc.

4. Enterprise Software

These are for particular business functions when the organizations have multiple tasks to take
care of regularly. This may be for accounting, billing, inventory management, web traffic
analysis, etc. Some examples are – Mailchimp, Google analytics, customer support system, etc.
5. Programming Software
These are software for writing other programs by translating programming languages into
machine language. The developers use them to create, debug, and maintain applications.

Programming or software development tools are a few other names for it. Some examples are –
Eclipse, Coda, Notepad++, etc.
Features of application software

• Closer to the user.

• Easy to design and understand.
• Interactive.
• Have a slow speed.
• Usually use high-level language.
• Easy to manipulate and use.
• Need large storage space in a device.
Can a computer run without the software?

• Mostly no, a computer cannot function without installing software. In absence of an

operating system, the computer is likely to work with error or without output. Having
software allows it to explore supplementary capacities. Users can save time with faster
results using the software.
• A word processor is not necessary but is helpful for creating documents, cloud computing
is not important but users can easily run programs on it. Thus, the importance of software
is unavoidable and we will keep using it for our daily tasks.
Difference Between Computer Hardware and Software

Basis Hardware Software

It is internal to the computer that uses a set

It is the physical part of the device that
Type of instructions to command the device for
takes care of data processing.
different tasks.

Development It is made by manufacturing in industry. It is made by developers and engineers.

Relies on high-level programming

Language Uses binary codes to function.
languages to function.
Function Monitors machine-level tasks. Monitors the hardware functioning.

It depends on the software to execute the It depends on hardware to process the

Dependency
task. information.

They are tangible and thus we can see They are intangible and thus we can’t see
Tangible
and touch hardware. and touch software.

Works for most of the computers in Is designed according to the computer

Use general as they have uniform system and updates according to user
architecture. preference.

It mainly consists of input devices,

System software and Application software
Categories output devices, storage, and internal
are two of its major types.
components.

Integrated Circuits, diodes, registers, Numbers, alphabets, symbols, keywords,

Components
crystals, insulators, etc. etc.

The viruses cannot attack the hardware

Protection The viruses can attack the software system.
system.

Usually have something to do with the

Faults They are very random and hard to find.
system and troubleshoots automatically.

Their electric transmission is possible

They can easily transfer from different
Transfer from one place to another electrically
locations using the network.
using a network.

Durability Depreciates over time. Keeps updating with time.

In case of damage, a new device replaces In case of damage, it undergoes

Replacement
the hardware. reinstallation.

Keyboard, Monitor, Printer, CPU, Hard Ms Word, Operating system, Photoshop,

Examples
disk, ROM, etc. MySQL, etc.
Firmware It is a low-level program that performs a very specific function in guiding hardware
for the execution of its tasks. They are mostly permanent and are difficult to manipulate after
development.